Apple season in Quebec runs from mid-August to November, and it peaks in September. That's when apples are at their freshest, crispest and most flavourful. Wondering when to go apple picking and why an apple a day is worth it? You're in the right place.
At Wellioo, we have a soft spot for this classic fruit. Our freeze-dried apples are made from 100% apples, with no added sugar and no preservatives. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of the season, from the orchard to the lunchbox.
When is apple season in Quebec?
Apple season is the period when Quebec apples are harvested, from mid-August to November. Early varieties like Paula Red and Sunrise kick off the season in late August. September offers the widest choice at the orchard. Late storage varieties wrap up the harvest in October and November.
This calendar isn't random. Every year, Quebec's apple growers set official market release dates for each variety, and no grower can sell a variety before its date. According to Rougemont, September is the peak of apple picking in Quebec, when most orchards are in full swing. One tip: call the orchard before you head out, because dates shift from one region to another.
Which apple varieties can you pick in September and October?
In September, look for McIntosh, Lobo and Honeycrisp, which arrives around September 20. In October, Cortland and the late storage varieties take over the orchards. Lobo holds its shape when baked, which makes it a great choice for pies and crisps.
The orchard landscape is changing. According to La Presse, milder winters now let local growers plant varieties like Gala and Ambrosia. Quebec orchards supply nearly 55% of the apples sold in Quebec grocery stores. At the store, look for "Quebec apples" on the label. You support local growers and you eat fruit that travelled less to reach you.
What are the health benefits of apples?
Apples are rich in fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants such as quercetin. One medium apple provides about 95 calories and 3 g of fibre. Its pectin, a soluble fibre, may help prevent constipation and can modestly lower LDL, the "bad" cholesterol. That's a lot of good in one snack.
Quercetin is a flavonoid, a natural plant compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The 19 g of sugar in a medium apple is entirely natural, according to Harvard's Nutrition Source. The peel holds much of the fibre and most of the flavonoids. Keep it on. A quick rinse under water is all you need.
As for daily habits, Canada's Food Guide recommends filling half your plate with vegetables and fruits. An apple as a snack is one easy way to get there.
How do you store apples so they last longer?
Store your apples in the fridge, in the crisper drawer, ideally in a perforated plastic bag. They keep for up to 6 weeks that way. Don't wash them before storing, and keep them away from bananas, because the ethylene bananas release speeds up ripening.
Skip the pretty bowl on the counter. An apple softens up to 10 times faster at room temperature than in the cold, according to Verger Victorin. Coming home from the orchard with a full basket? Quebec's public markets association suggests peeling, coring and slicing the extras, then freezing them flat on a tray before moving them to bags. Frozen apples make excellent applesauce and pies.
How can you enjoy apples after the season ends?
To enjoy apples all year, rely on storage apples, your freezer or freeze-dried apples. Freeze-dried apples keep the taste of fresh fruit in a light, crunchy snack. They slip easily into a bag or a lunchbox, and they're ready whenever hunger hits, at work, at school or on the road.
Freeze-drying is a process that removes water from fruit at low temperature to preserve its taste and nutritional value. According to Wellioo, this process retains 95% of the fruit's nutrients. It's not the same as dried fruit, which is often sweetened, and we break down the difference here.
Wellioo freeze-dried apples contain no added sugar. Sprinkle them on your oatmeal, yogurt or homemade granola. Tuck a pouch into your kids' lunch, like in our back-to-school snack ideas. Want to try everything? The Discovery Box brings our fruits together, and Build Your Box lets you pick your favourites.
Apple season with Wellioo, all year long
Apple season only lasts a few months, but its benefits don't have to stop in November. This fall, head to the orchard, choose Quebec apples, eat them with the peel on and keep them cold. The rest of the year, Wellioo freeze-dried apples take over, with no added sugar.
At Wellioo, we bring it back to the essentials: real fruit, no compromises. No gimmicks, no unnecessary additives. Because eating better should always be simple, accessible and delicious. Explore all our fruits or find a retailer near you.